A CADAVERIC STUDY OF UNCOMMON BRANCHING PATTERN AND TERMINATION OF FACIAL ARTERY AS DUPLEX WITH A DOMINANT LATERAL ANGULAR BRANCH: CASE REPORT

Dr. Priya Parasappa Mudholakara, Dr. Isha Herswani*, Dr. Bhoomika Hemmanna, Dr. Pratibha Kandu and Dr. Vinod Kumar Bilonia

ABSTRACT

Background: The facial artery is the primary blood vessel that supplies anterior of the face. It branches from the anterior surface of external carotid artery its location and course are crucial for the secure handling of surgical as well as non-surgical interventions like facial reconstruction and aesthetic procedures. A thorough understanding of the arteries will assist in minimizing the risk of patient. Material and Results: A rare case of a facial artery pattern has been found with respect to its course and branching. This variation was found on the left side of the face of a 72-year-old male cadaver during regular anatomical dissection. The left anterior branch of the facial artery arched in the direction of the labial angle, and there divided into inferior labial artery (ILA)and another branch which is further bifurcated into superior labial artery (SLA) and nasal artery. Another angular branch arising individually below the oral commissure directly from the facial arterial trunk i.e. duplex with dominant lateral angular artery (AA). Conclusions: Due to varying vascularization, a precise understanding of distinct facial artery anatomy may play vital role in planning flaps or tumour excisions. It can also help to prevent artery damage during aesthetic operations like filler and botulinum toxin injections.

Keywords: Aesthetic medicine, anatomical variation, branching, facial artery, face surgery, dominant angular artery.